As a boy growing up in Haiti, my sister often took me to the theatre to see folkloric productions. I always appreciated watching other people dance on stage. Yet, I myself had little interest in dancing. What I really enjoyed was sports, especially soccer..
Then one day something amazing happened to me. I went to see a movie called "The Great Waltz" about the life of the great composer Johann Strauss, Jr. I wanted to go because I grew up listening to classical music at home. I really got excited seeing the couples dancing. They moved so beautifully in harmony with the music. I could never get those images out of my mind. I had the feeling that I too, wanted to dance just like them.
Well, it took another six years for my dancing dream to become a reality. It happened when I moved to New York and saw the Hustle. At that moment the same excitement I had felt about "The Great Waltz"came back. I actually changed my major in college from engineering to accounting so I would have more time to go dancing.
I always enjoyed watching Fred Astaire films, so I decided to take classes at one of his franchises in my quest to add more flair and pizzazz to my dancing. Since my hustle was above any level taught at that school, I ended up purchasing a Latin package. I figured this was great since I listened to a lot of El Gran Combo back in Haiti and I really enjoyed their music. This was my first exposure to the Mambo and I didn't like it. The rigidity of the "quick, quick, slow" pattern annoyed me. Cha Cha and Tango were my favorites. They seemed more elegant. My instructor suggested that we work on a piece that blended Cha Cha with Hustle. We performed it at the next weekly social. This was my first Latin performance. It was quite an experience.
It was becoming harder and harder to find a good hustle club in New York City. The music was sounding more monotonous and noisier each night. Freestyle disco and hip-hop were in. I needed a change. While hanging out in the Hustle room at Alexis Dance Studio, I remembered seeing this couple working out in the Latin room. No one could do the things they did. Their names were Eddie & Maria Torres. It was delightful to see them compete in Dance Fever. I thought it was cool that they danced Latin on a disco program. A friend suggested that I try a salsa club called Ochentas. And I did.
That first night back in April 1982, I witnessed a most magical moment. It was Cha Cha night and all these couples were beautifully gliding on the dance floor. Showtime came and there they were again, Eddie & Maria, the couple from Alexis doing a mambo that was unbelievable. I introduced myself and complimented them on their performance. I felt that excitement coming back again. I said to myself that this is the place and this is the dance for me.
To be continued....
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